Anti-sputtering mechanism for 3D laser printer

By designing a sputtering anti-sputtering mechanism in a 3D laser printer, using inert gas exhaust and air curtain to form a protective air curtain, the problem of Mars sputtering caused by the oxygen environment during high-temperature sintering of metal powder is solved, and the printing quality is improved. Powder utilization rate.

CN116037960BActive Publication Date: 2025-02-18ANHUI CHUNGU 3D PRINTING INTELLIGENT EQUIP IND TECH RES INST CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202211637050.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-12-16
Publication Date
2025-02-18
Estimated Expiration
2042-12-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the existing 3D laser printing technology, metal powders are prone to sputtering due to oxygen environment during high temperature sintering, affecting the printing quality and resulting in waste of powder.

Method used

A sputtering anti-mechanism for 3D laser printers is designed, including an exhaust part and an air curtain part. The exhaust part uses an inert gas delivery pipe to discharge inert gas on the periphery of the laser print head, and the air curtain part forms a wind curtain around the printing platform to prevent the diffusion of gas.

Benefits of technology

It effectively prevents Mars sputtering, avoids powder oxidation and fusion agglomeration, improves the performance of the print, and promotes the recycling of powder materials.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer, comprising: an exhaust part, which is arranged in a cylindrical base and connected to an inert gas delivery pipe, a laser printing head is arranged in the cylindrical base, and the cylindrical base is arranged on a moving mechanism of the 3D laser printer; an air curtain part, which is arranged on the periphery of a printing platform, and the exhaust part is placed on the periphery of the laser printing head to discharge inert gas in a circular trajectory, so as to specifically distinguish a temporary printing area from a non-printing area, the exhaust part can move in real time with the laser printing head, so that the printing process of the targeted printing area starts protection work, and the sparks formed in the printing process of the printing area are disturbed by the inert gas on the circumference and extinguished, so as to avoid affecting the adjacent printing area; and the air curtain part can form an air curtain around the printing platform to block the diffusion of the inert gas, so as to extend the protection time and ensure the high efficiency and continuity of the protection work.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D laser printers, and in particular to an anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer. Background Art

[0002] Laser 3D printing is a type of rapid prototyping technology. 3D printing uses a digital model as a basis and then inputs the digital program into the 3D printer, allowing the 3D printer to sinter powdered metal or other materials layer by layer to shape the object.

[0003] During the sintering process of metal powder, sparks will be sputtered due to the oxygen environment in the air, thus affecting other parts of the metal powder. The existing patent number CN2019108115839 is a SLS nylon powder 3D laser printer forming cylinder and its use method. It is also mentioned in the article that the melting point of nylon powder is generally around 150-280°C. When the laser is printing the workpiece, the sintering temperature is above 150°C. The heat energy of the nylon powder around the workpiece will be transferred to the surrounding powder at the moment of laser printing and for a period of time after printing, causing some nylon particles to fuse together. This results in a considerable amount of nylon powder being unable to be reused as the number of printing times increases, which is a great waste. The present invention is applicable to all SLS 3D printers that have high-temperature sintering and gaps between powders that can meet the requirements of air permeability or micro-permeability. The SLS nylon powder 3D laser printer molding cylinder can not only dissipate heat for the powder material and the workpiece, but also fully remove the oxygen in the molding cylinder, so that the powder material can be 3D printed and sintered in an oxygen-free environment, preventing the powder material from oxidation and fusion agglomeration, ensuring the performance of the printed part, and facilitating the recycling of the powder material. The patent has the following problems:

[0004] The oxygen exclusion space is limited and cannot act specifically on the forming area and non-forming area of ​​the powder, which causes the environment of the forming area of ​​the powder to be affected to a certain extent. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the technical problem of poor protection in the laser printing process in the prior art and to provide an anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is: an anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer, comprising:

[0007] An exhaust part, the exhaust part is arranged in the cylindrical base, and the exhaust part is connected to the inert gas delivery pipe, a laser printing head is arranged in the cylindrical base, and the cylindrical base is arranged on the moving mechanism of the 3D laser printer;

[0008] An air curtain portion, the air curtain portion is arranged on the periphery of the printing platform, and the air curtain portion is parallel to the exhaust portion, and the printing platform is arranged on the 3D laser printer; wherein

[0009] The exhaust portion exhausts air toward the printing platform at the periphery of the laser printing head, so that the laser printing head is protected by inert gas when printing metal powder;

[0010] The air curtain portion can form an air curtain along the upper end of the printing platform, so that the inert gas is centrally retained in the printing chamber space between the laser print head and the printing platform.

[0011] Further, the exhaust portion includes a hollow ring disposed in the cylindrical base, an opening disposed at one end of the hollow ring, and a plurality of exhaust holes circumferentially disposed at the lower end of the hollow ring;

[0012] The opening is connected to the inert gas delivery pipe, wherein

[0013] The inert gas is delivered to the hollow ring through the inert gas delivery pipe, so that the inert gas is discharged from a plurality of the exhaust holes in a divided manner.

[0014] Furthermore, the exhaust portion further includes a plurality of oblique cuts circumferentially arranged on one side of the wall of the exhaust holes and an annular groove arranged at the lower end of the hollow ring, wherein

[0015] The inert gas is suitable for forming an annular air curtain along the plurality of the oblique cuts and the annular grooves.

[0016] Furthermore, the exhaust part further includes a plurality of air guide sleeves which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence inside the plurality of exhaust holes;

[0017] The inner wall of the air guide sleeve is hourglass-shaped.

[0018] The air guide sleeve is suitable for diffusing the inert gas again after pressurizing the inert gas.

[0019] Furthermore, the wind curtain portion includes a side frame arranged on the periphery of the printing platform, a frame groove arranged on the upper end of the side frame, a plurality of communication holes arranged in the frame groove in a frame shape, and a plurality of air ducts inserted through the plurality of communication holes;

[0020] Several of the air ducts are connected to external fans through split tubes, wherein

[0021] The external fan is driven, and the wind passes through the splitter tube, the plurality of wind pipes and the frame grooves in sequence to form a frame wind curtain, so that the inert gas is retained.

[0022] Furthermore, the wind curtain portion further includes a plurality of guide heads arranged on a plurality of the wind ducts;

[0023] The guide head is an isosceles trapezoid that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, and the boundary lines of two adjacent guide heads are collinear.

[0024] Furthermore, the inner edge of the frame groove is a chamfered edge.

[0025] Furthermore, the anti-sputtering mechanism for the 3D laser printer further includes a flip cover;

[0026] The printing chamber space is provided with a storage and access opening;

[0027] The flip cover is sealed and hingedly arranged at the access opening.

[0028] Furthermore, the side wall of the flip cover is provided with a sealing ring.

[0029] The sealing ring is made of transparent material, and the cross section of the sealing ring is triangular.

[0030] When the flip cover closes the access opening, the sealing ring can be tightly sealed.

[0031] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the exhaust part is placed on the periphery of the laser print head to form a circular trajectory to discharge inert gas, so as to specifically distinguish between the temporary printing area and the non-printing area. The exhaust part can move in real time with the laser print head, so that the printing process of the targeted printing area starts the protection work, and the sparks formed in the printing process of the printing area are disturbed and extinguished by the circular inert gas, thereby avoiding affecting the adjacent printing area; and the wind curtain part can form a wind curtain around the printing platform to block the diffusion of the inert gas, so as to extend the protection time and ensure the efficient continuity of the protection work. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the exhaust portion of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 is a front view of the interior of a preferred embodiment of the exhaust portion of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 The present invention Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0037] Figure 5 is a bottom view of the exhaust portion of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 is a front view of the air curtain portion of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional diagram of the side frame of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the air duct connection guide head of the present invention;

[0041] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the inner side view of the flip cover connection sealing ring of the present invention.

[0042] In the figure:

[0043] 1. Exhaust part; 11. Hollow ring; 12. Exhaust hole; 13. Oblique cut; 14. Annular groove; 15. Air guide sleeve;

[0044] 2. Cylindrical base;

[0045] 3. Inert gas delivery pipe;

[0046] 4. Laser print head;

[0047] 5. Mobile mechanism;

[0048] 6. wind curtain; 61. side frame; 62. frame groove; 63. connecting hole; 64. air duct; 65. guide head;

[0049] 7. Sealing ring;

[0050] 8. 3D laser printer;

[0051] 9. Flip cover;

[0052] 10. Access port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, which only illustrate the basic structure of the present invention in a schematic manner, and therefore only show the components related to the present invention.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 : is a stereogram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the exhaust portion of the present invention; Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 2 is a front view of the interior of the exhaust part of the present invention; Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 The present invention Figure 3 The enlarged picture of A in the middle; Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 2 is a bottom view of the exhaust portion of the present invention; Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6: is a front view of the air curtain portion of the present invention; Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the side frame of the present invention; Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 1 is a schematic diagram of the interior of the air duct connection guide head of the present invention; Fig. 9 As shown, Fig. 9 : is a schematic diagram of the inner side view of the flip cover connection sealing ring of the present invention, as shown in FIG. Figure 1-9 As shown, the present invention provides an anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer, comprising:

[0055] The exhaust part 1 is arranged in the cylindrical base 2, and the exhaust part 1 is connected to the inert gas delivery pipe 3. A laser printing head 4 is arranged in the cylindrical base 2, and the cylindrical base 2 is arranged on the moving mechanism 5 of the 3D laser printer 8; the laser printing head 4, the 3D laser printer 8, the printing platform and the moving mechanism 5 are all conventional technologies in the prior art and belong to public means, so no further explanation is given here.

[0056] The wind curtain portion 6 is arranged on the periphery of the printing platform, and the wind curtain portion 6 is parallel to the exhaust portion 1, and the printing platform is arranged on the 3D laser printer 8; wherein

[0057] The exhaust portion 1 exhausts air toward the printing platform at the periphery of the laser printing head 4, so that the laser printing head 4 is protected by inert gas when printing metal powder;

[0058] The wind curtain portion 6 can form a wind curtain along the upper end of the printing platform so that the inert gas is centrally retained in the printing chamber space between the laser printing head 4 and the printing platform. Specifically, in the prior art, the improvement of the laser printing environment cannot act on the printing range in a targeted manner. Compared with the prior art, in the present invention, the exhaust portion 1 is placed on the periphery of the laser printing head 4 to form a circular trajectory to discharge the inert gas so as to specifically distinguish the temporary printing area from the non-printing area. The exhaust portion 1 can move in real time with the laser printing head 4 so that the printing process of the targeted printing area starts the protection work. The sparks formed during the printing process of the printing area are disturbed and extinguished by the inert gas on the circumference, thereby avoiding affecting the adjacent printing area. The wind curtain portion 6 can form a wind curtain around the printing platform to block the diffusion of the inert gas, thereby extending the protection time and ensuring the efficient continuity of the protection work.

[0059] Optionally, the exhaust portion 1 includes a hollow ring 11 disposed in the cylindrical base 2, an opening disposed at one end of the hollow ring 11, and a plurality of exhaust holes 12 circumferentially disposed at the lower end of the hollow ring 11;

[0060] The opening is connected to the inert gas delivery pipe 3, wherein

[0061] The inert gas is transported to the hollow ring 11 through the inert gas delivery pipe 3, so that the inert gas is discharged from the plurality of exhaust holes 12. Specifically, the hollow ring 11 can be used as a medium for inert gas transmission, and the circular transmission trajectory of the hollow ring 11 is determined. The inert gas is finally discharged through the plurality of exhaust holes 12, so that the distribution amount of the inert gas at each point of the circular trajectory is consistent, thereby ensuring the balance of its protection work.

[0062] Optionally, the exhaust portion 1 further includes a plurality of oblique cuts 13 arranged circumferentially on one side of the wall of the plurality of exhaust holes 12 and an annular groove 14 arranged at the lower end of the hollow ring 11, wherein

[0063] The inert gas is suitable for forming an annular wind curtain along the plurality of the bevel cuts 13 and the annular groove 14. Specifically, the bevel directions of the plurality of bevel cuts 13 are consistent, the deeper position of the bevel cuts 13 is close to the exhaust hole 12, and the shallower position of the bevel cuts 13 is far away from the exhaust hole 12. The inert gas discharged through the plurality of exhaust holes 12 is synchronously discharged toward the annular groove 14 through the plurality of bevel cuts 13 under the premise of vertically exiting the track, so that the inert gas discharged from multiple points can be connected end to end to form a circular wind curtain, thereby avoiding the generation of protective blind spots in the targeted laser forming area.

[0064] Optionally, the exhaust unit 1 further includes a plurality of air guide sleeves 15 arranged in a one-to-one correspondence inside the plurality of exhaust holes 12;

[0065] The inner wall of the air guide sleeve 15 is hourglass-shaped.

[0066] The air guide sleeve 15 is suitable for diffusing the inert gas again after pressurizing the inert gas. Specifically, the inert gas discharged from the plurality of exhaust holes 12 can first change from a diffused state to a gathered and pressurized state, and then change from a gathered and pressurized state to a diffused state during the process of passing through the plurality of air guide sleeves 15. This allows the inert gas to have a certain thickness range when it is output, thereby increasing the consumption of the inert gas during the protection process and extending the protection time.

[0067] Optionally, the wind curtain portion 6 includes a side frame 61 disposed on the periphery of the printing platform, a frame groove 62 disposed at the upper end of the side frame 61, a plurality of communication holes disposed in the frame groove 62 in a frame shape, and a plurality of air ducts 64 inserted through the plurality of communication holes;

[0068] The plurality of air ducts 64 are connected to an external fan through a splitter tube, wherein

[0069] The external fan is driven, and the wind passes through the diverter tube, the plurality of the air ducts 64 and the frame groove 62 in sequence to form a frame wind curtain to retain the inert gas. Specifically, the plurality of air ducts 64 are connected one by one to the plurality of connecting holes. After the wind is output through the external fan, it is diverted to the plurality of air ducts 64 through the diverter tube. After the wind is output from the plurality of air ducts 64, a frame-shaped wind curtain is formed under the action of the frame groove 62. The wind curtain is fitted on the periphery of the printing platform, so that the inert gas can be specifically placed in the vertical extension space of the printing platform without being easily diffused from all sides, thereby increasing the retention time of the inert gas.

[0070] Optionally, the air curtain portion 6 further includes a plurality of guide heads 65 disposed on the plurality of air ducts 64;

[0071] The guide head 65 is an isosceles trapezoid that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. The boundary lines of two adjacent guide heads 65 are collinear. Specifically, there is a gap between two adjacent air ducts 64. The wind output from the plurality of air ducts 64 can expand its range under the action of the gap. The existence of two adjacent guide heads 65 can avoid the gap between the two air ducts 64, so that the wind will not produce a dead angle in the horizontal direction after being output through the frame groove 62, thereby ensuring the balance of the forces at each point after the wind curtain is formed.

[0072] Optionally, the inner edge of the frame groove 62 is a chamfered edge. Specifically, the high part of the chamfered edge faces the center of the frame groove 62, and the low part of the chamfered edge faces the outside of the frame groove 62. Its existence can increase the guiding effect of the wind output through the frame groove 62, so that the vertical wind force can simultaneously assist in forming a four-sided pyramid-shaped wind curtain in the process of forming a wind curtain, so that the diffused inert gas is forced to gather in this process. Its work can be carried out at multiple angles, ensuring the scope of the inert gas protection.

[0073] Optionally, the anti-sputtering mechanism for the 3D laser printer further includes a flip cover 9;

[0074] The printing chamber space is provided with an access port 10;

[0075] The flap 9 is sealed and hingedly arranged at the access port 10. Specifically, the printed model can be accessed through the access port 10. The flap 9 can be moved to allow the access port 10 to be flexibly closed, ensuring that the external environment of the 3D laser printer 8 does not interfere with the internal environment. The flap 9 can be made of heat-resistant glass material, so that the printing process can be intuitively observed.

[0076] Optionally, a sealing ring 7 is provided on the side wall of the flip cover 9.

[0077] The sealing ring 7 is made of transparent material, and the cross section of the sealing ring 7 is a triangle.

[0078] When the flip cover 9 closes the access port 10, the sealing ring 7 can be sealed and pressed. Specifically, the sealing ring 7 can play a good sealing role when the flip cover 9 closes the access port 10, thereby increasing the airtightness of the 3D laser printer 8 during operation. The relatively thinner end of the triangular cross-section of the sealing ring 7 is close to the 3D laser printer 8, and the relatively thicker end is far away from the 3D laser printer 8, so that the extrusion process of the sealing ring 7 has a process from loose to tight, and its sealing work can be smoother on this basis.

[0079] Based on the above ideal embodiments of the present invention, the relevant staff can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of the present invention through the above description. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, and its technical scope must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sputtering prevention mechanism for a 3D laser printer, characterized in that: include: An exhaust portion (1), the exhaust portion (1) being arranged in a cylindrical base (2), and the exhaust portion (1) being connected to an inert gas delivery pipe (3), a laser printing head (4) being arranged in the cylindrical base (2), and the cylindrical base (2) being arranged on a moving mechanism (5) of a 3D laser printer (8); An air curtain portion (6), the air curtain portion (6) being arranged on the periphery of the printing platform, and the air curtain portion (6) being parallel to the exhaust portion (1), and the printing platform being arranged on the 3D laser printer (8); wherein The exhaust portion (1) exhausts air toward the printing platform at the periphery of the laser printing head (4), so that the laser printing head (4) is protected by an inert gas when printing metal powder; The wind curtain portion (6) is capable of forming a wind curtain along the upper end of the printing platform, so that the inert gas is centrally retained in the printing chamber space between the laser printing head (4) and the printing platform; The exhaust portion (1) comprises a hollow ring (11) arranged in the cylindrical base (2), an opening arranged at one end of the hollow ring (11), and a plurality of exhaust holes (12) arranged in a circumferential manner at the lower end of the hollow ring (11); The opening is connected to the inert gas delivery pipe (3), wherein The inert gas is delivered to the hollow ring (11) through the inert gas delivery pipe (3), so that the inert gas is discharged from the plurality of exhaust holes (12); The exhaust portion (1) further comprises a plurality of oblique cutouts (13) arranged in a circumferential manner on one side of the wall of the plurality of exhaust holes (12) and an annular groove (14) arranged at the lower end of the hollow ring (11), wherein The inert gas is suitable for forming an annular air curtain along the plurality of the oblique cuts (13) and the annular groove (14); The exhaust portion (1) further comprises a plurality of air guide sleeves (15) which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence inside the plurality of exhaust holes (12); The inner wall of the air guide sleeve (15) is hourglass-shaped, wherein The air guide sleeve (15) is suitable for diffusing the inert gas again after pressurizing the inert gas; The wind curtain portion (6) comprises a side frame (61) arranged on the periphery of the printing platform, a frame groove (62) arranged at the upper end of the side frame (61), a plurality of communication holes arranged in the frame groove (62) in a frame shape, and a plurality of air ducts (64) inserted through the plurality of communication holes; A plurality of the air ducts (64) are connected to an external fan via a splitter tube, wherein Driving an external fan, so that wind passes through the splitter tube, the plurality of wind pipes (64) and the frame grooves (62) in sequence to form a frame wind curtain, so as to retain the inert gas; The wind curtain portion (6) further comprises a plurality of guide heads (65) arranged on the plurality of wind ducts (64); The guide head (65) is an isosceles trapezoid that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, and the boundary lines of two adjacent guide heads (65) are collinear; The inner edge of the frame groove (62) is a chamfered edge.

2. The anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer further comprises a flip cover (9); The printing chamber space is provided with an access opening (10); The flip cover (9) is sealed and hingedly arranged on the access opening (10).

3. The anti-sputtering mechanism for a 3D laser printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The side wall of the flip cover (9) is provided with a sealing ring (7). The sealing ring (7) is made of a transparent material, and the cross section of the sealing ring (7) is a triangle, wherein When the flip cover (9) closes the access opening (10), the sealing ring (7) can be tightly sealed.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Printing forming chamber with local temperature control function and 3D printer with printing forming chamber

    CN112497746A